Electric Vehicles

First US Cobalt Mining Operation to Begin After More Than 30-Year Hiatus

  • Automakers place “elevated” focus on securing battery metals
  • Metal sits “at the top of the table” on national security: CEO

Structures used for processing raw cobalt. 

Photographer: Lucien Kahozi/Bloomberg
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Booming demand for batteries powering the world’s shift into electric vehicles is rekindling US cobalt production after at least a 30-year hiatus.

Australia-based Jervois Global Ltd. is starting the first US cobalt mine in Idaho on Friday, according to chief executive Bryce Crocker. The mineral sits “at the top of the table” in terms of national security, said Crocker.